15 towns shortlisted for inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028

Fifteen towns across the United Kingdom have been shortlisted to compete for the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 title, the government announced this week. The selection follows a landmark competition that drew 398 applications from towns nationwide, highlighting a widespread ambition to harness culture for local regeneration and pride.

The shortlisted towns will each receive 60,000 pounds to develop full bids for the next stage of the competition. An independent judging panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, will assess these submissions. Early next year, the panel will select one finalist from each of three categories-small, medium, and large towns-with one overall winner being designated UK Town of Culture 2028. That winner will receive a 3 million pound government grant to host a year-long cultural programme in 2028. The two other category finalists will each be awarded 250,000 pounds to deliver parts of their proposed cultural activities.

The competition is part of a broader government initiative, the Pride in Place Programme, aimed at fostering a decade of national renewal by restoring pride in local areas. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy congratulated the shortlisted towns,...